Mrs. Herlong taught elementary school for fourteen years before pursuing her Education Specialist degree in Leadership. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, Distinguished Teacher of Reading and Teacher of the Year awards recipient, and has served as Past President of the South Carolina affiliate of the International Reading Association. She served as an ELA Partner Teacher for Aiken County Public Schools for two years as she spearheaded the implementation of the Literacy Model in seven elementary schools. Currently, Mrs. Herlong is serving in her ninth year as Principal at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School.